Derby County hosted Fulham at the Ipro Stadium, and both teams played out a 1-1 draw. Phillip Cocu might feel hard done by as their team could have taken all three points here.
The Rams looked the better side in the first half, and they made Fulham’s goalkeeper work. Tom Lawrence had one good attempt thwarted. The score was level at half time.
Wayne Rooney opened the scoring in the 55th minute with a well-disguised chipped penalty after Ream was guilty of handballing in the box. Mitrovic equalised in the 71st minute with an excellent finish. Derby had the better opportunities in the end, and Jozefzoon should have buried a good chance in the dying moments of the game.
Here is how Derby County fared on the night.
Ben Hamer 6
Couldn’t have done much to prevent the goal. Made some regulation saves apart from that.
Andre Wisdom 5.5
Gave the ball cheaply, which led to a goal. Was sloppy on the ball on quite a few occasions. However, showed good energy late on in the game and created some decent chances while going forward.
Curtis Davies 7
Showed good composure in defence and kept Mitrovic and others quiet for most of the game.
Matthew Clarke 7
Dealt with the dangers that came his way. Threatened from set-pieces while attacking them.
Craig Forsyth 6.5
Had a mixed bag of a game as he created some decent chances, especially late on in the game. However, he could have been better with his passing from the left.
Graeme Shinnie 6.5
Did the nitty-gritty job well for most parts and kept things tight in midfield. Maybe could have done better in Fulham’s build-up play which led to the goal.
Max Bird 8
Put in a tireless shift in the middle and read the game well to make crucial blocks and interceptions. Worked hard. Had one decent chance in the end but was denied by the opposition goalkeeper.
Jason Knight 6
Worked hard and pressed well. However, wasn’t able to get in the game much and was substituted in the second half.
Wayne Rooney 7
Stretched play with some good runs. Picked out some impressive passes in the attacking third but his influence went down a bit as the game went on. Scored from the spot with a cool panenka penalty. Delivered one brilliant cross late on in the game. Also came close to scoring from a corner.
Tom Lawrence 8
Looked one of the best players for the Rams as he was involved in almost all the good attacks for his side. Tested the goalkeeper with a decent attempt in the first half. Played some neat passes and his inviting delivery late on in the game should have been scored by Jozefzoon.
Martyn Waghorn 5
Wasn’t able to get in the game much and had to drop deep. Worked hard but never really got a clear sight at goal.
Substitutes
Florian Jozefzoon 3
Should have scored the winner in the end but he failed to get a contact on the cross.
Jack Marriott 4
Showed good energy but wasn’t able to get in the game much.
